Mental Health Professional I (Columbia Area Mental Health Center/ACT)

Mental Health Professional I (Columbia Area Mental Health Center/ACT)

Salary

$51,039.00 - $59,622.00 Annually

Location

Richland County, SC

Job Type

FTE - Full-Time

Job Number

193518

Agency

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

Division

Columbia Area Mental Health Center

Opening Date

10/02/2026

Closing Date

10/16/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Class Code:

GA55

Position Number:

60006467

Normal Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)

Pay Grade

GEN08

Hiring Range - Min.

$51,039.00

Hiring Range - Max.

$59,622.00

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity Employer

Agency Specific Application Procedures:

You must apply on-line at www.careers.sc.gov. Follow the status for your application on-line.

Veteran Preference Statement

South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Responsibilities

Are you passionate about making a real difference in peoples lives? Join our team at the Office of Mental Health where we are dedicated to providing compassionate and accessible care to our community. We are seeking a Mental Health Professional I, who is motivated to help individuals and families navigate lifes challenges and achieve long-term wellness. If you want to use your skills to build a healthier, more resilient community, we encourage you to apply.

This position is located at the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) - Office of Mental Health, Columbia Area Mental Health Center, 2715 Colonial Dr #100, Columbia, SC 29203.

As the Mental Health Professional I, you will serve on the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team delivering intensive, mobile, and evidence-based services directly in the community to foster recovery and stabilization for individuals with mental illness.

Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional I:

• Deliver direct, recovery-oriented care to ACT beneficiaries by teaching evidence-based coping strategies and facilitating independent living skills training to promote long-term mental health stability.
• Employ assertive engagement strategies to build rapport and actively connect with hard-to-reach beneficiaries.
• Facilitate the person-centered planning process for an assigned caseload, ensuring individual goals, preferences, and strengths drive the care plan.
• Navigate and connect beneficiaries to vital community services, resources, and external agencies while building robust local support networks.
• Conduct screenings and comprehensive assessments for new referrals, actively contributing to the development and revision of Individualized Continuity Plans (ICPs).
• Provide family psychoeducation and collaborate with beneficiaries natural support systems to foster a holistic environment for recovery.
• Engage in daily multidisciplinary team meetings and clinical supervision, offering expert consultation on complex cases and participating in continuous professional development.
• Demonstrate cultural humility and an appreciation for individual and group differences across all interactions.
• Maintain active certifications in evidence-based practices and integrate these modalities effectively into daily clinical interventions.
• Ensure strict compliance with QA and OMH standards, corporate compliance policies, and risk management plans through timely documentation and prior authorization management.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A master's degree in guidance, counseling, the social sciences or a related field.

• Licensed as an LISW, LLISW-CP, LMFT, or LPC in the state of South Carolina.

• A degree from an accredited college or university in a program that is primarily psychological in nature.

• One (1) year of professional experience working with adults who have a serious mental illness with experience within a South Carolina state agency.

In order to be credentialed for core services as a Mental Health Professional at the SC Office of Mental Health, applicants must provide evidence of clinical experience providing direct patient care. This experience may be documented as a practicum or internship during graduate program, or post-graduate clinical experience. Please be sure to provide specific clinical activities on your application and/or resume.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 5 pounds and maintain a valid driver's license to operate a state vehicle.
• Ability to work in an essential-personnel capacity, including call-backs during crises, natural disasters, or emergencies.
• Ability to actively participate as a core member of the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule to deliver care across various community settings and patients homes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.

Additional Comments

Post hire, employees must:

• Advanced understanding of counseling principles, diagnostic methods, and evidence-based treatment practices for mental health disorders and behavioral challenges.
• Deep knowledge of psychopathology, family systems, group dynamics, and specialized psychological conditions.
• Strong active listening skills paired with the ability to articulate complex information clearly and compassionately to individuals.
• Proven ability to prepare and deliver comprehensive, clear, and structured oral and written reports.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities offers an exceptional benefits package for full-time (FTE) employees:

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click here for additional information.

• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year

• 15 days sick leave per year

• 13 paid holidays

• Paid Parental Leave

• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)

• Retirement benefit choices *

• State Retirement Plan (SCRS)

• State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

• Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.

Benefits for State Employees

The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits

Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits

State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits

State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.

01

Have you ever been employed by the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities- Office of Mental Health (OMH) (formally SC Department of Mental Health)?

• Yes
• No

02

If you have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony criminal offense (Other than in a Juvenile Court), you MUST list this information (unless you have taken steps to expunge your record). This includes fraudulent checks, driving under suspension, disorderly conduct, shoplifting, etc. *Please note that conviction of a criminal offense does not bar you from employment in all cases; each conviction is evaluated individually. However, failure to list convictions is considered falsification of the application and WILL BE grounds for termination, if hired. It is your responsibility to know what is on your criminal record. If you have charges on your record that appear without a court disposition (result) you may be asked to provide that information if selected for employment. If you have questions, please inquire before you complete your application. PLEASE NOTE THAT NOT ANSWERING THIS QUESTIONS WILL DEEM YOUR APPPLCATION AS INCOMPLETE AND IT WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Please indicate your understanding to this statement by checking the box below

• Checking this box indicates my understanding to the above referenced statement.

03

Do you have a master's degree in guidance, counseling, the social sciences or a related field?

• Yes
• No

04

Please select all courses that you have completed in graduate school.

• Ethics
• Psychopathology
• Psychodiagnostics
• Assessment
• None of the above courses have been completed

05

Have you been denied a professional license, or had a professional license revoked or limited by, and/or had any discipline or sanction imposed on you or your practice by a professional licensing board or body?

• Yes
• No

06

If you answered Yes to the question above, please provide a statement explaining the facts, name of the professional licensing board or body, any action taken by the board or body and your current status with that board or body

07

Please indicate your salary requirement (please be specific and not put "negotiable" or "open").

Required Question

Employer State of South Carolina

Agency Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Address 400 Otarre Parkway

Cayce, South Carolina, 29033

Phone OIDD - (803)898-9600

OMH - (803) 898-8600

The language used in this document does not create an employment contract between the employee and the agency. This document does not create any contractual rights or entitlements. The agency reserves the right to revise the content of this document, in whole or in part. No promises or assurances, whether written or oral, which are contrary to or inconsistent with the terms of this paragraph create any contract of employment.